The gut microbiome plays a vital role in maintaining good health and wellness. Nurturing these beneficial bacteria is beneficial in the long run especially if one starts doing it early in life.
Quick Overview On The Human Microbiome
One study1 published in the Journal of Immunology and Cell Biology found that exercising starting early in life has positive impact on gut health. Today, many of the young population especially in developed countries, don’t exercise.
Sure they do something else like playing video games, watching TV for long hours, and chatting friends on social media. While these are good activities, they’re not moving, which made them sedentary.
Another study2 found that children on developing countries have greater gut microbial diversity compared to children in developed countries. In this study, healthy children of Bangladesh were compared to healthy children in the U.S.
Additionally, the use of antibiotics in developed countries are prevalent compared to developing countries. Science now has a clear picture that antibiotics can alter the gut composition. The good news, there are ways to help the gut microbiome recover and restore to its glory like regular intake of probiotics.
This means that the combination of regular physical activities and good nutrition is key to maintaining a healthy gut microbiome. It is also vital to encourage physical activities on children as part of their regular routine rather than focusing on sedentary activities. The gut microbiota in children is a window of opportunity for achieving good health as they grow and enjoy a good quality of life.
The good thing about having a well-diverse and healthy microbiome early in life is it contributes to better brain health. This means as children grow up, they can experience clear thinking, better focus, and less stress. Moreover, having a healthy gut contributes to metabolic health, which means weight gain and obesity won’t be an issue anymore.
Encouraging Kids To Exercise
Lastly, encourage your kids to exercise for fun instead of considering it as a routine. Even yoga is just as beneficial especially if combined with mindfulness or meditation. Children when guided accordingly are good meditators.